Women’s Retreat 2019

God graced the North woods with sunshine and warmer temperatures as 51 women gathered at Holy Family Parish in Woodruff, WI., on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. Women from all parts of the Diocese of Superior, Diocese of Madison and Diocese of La Crosse attended the Lenten Retreat sponsored by the Superior Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Morning hospitality was provided by members of the Diocesan Board serving a delicious display of homemade breakfast breads and muffins.

The Lenten Retreat was a day designed for contemplation, reflection and quiet meditation. Sr. Anita Beskar, FSPA, and Sr. Marla Lang, FSPA, from the Marywood Spirituality Center, were the presenters for the retreat. Both presenters helped broaden our understanding of who we are in relation to Mary, Our Blessed Mother. Mary, who had human struggles just like any one of us.

Sr. Anita started the morning scripture readings reflecting on ‘Mary asParent’ with the words of Simeon from Luke 2:33-35 “sword shall pierce,” “a sign ofcontradiction”, the Boy Jesus in the Temple: Luke 2:44 &45, 48 – 51, “Why have you done this to us?”and the Feast in Cana: John 2:1-5, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come. Hismother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Attendees were asked to contemplate and reflect on how and what Mary felt when she heard these words.

Sr. Marla presented the second presentation for the morning, ‘Mary: Mother at a Distance’ with readings reflecting on how Mary felt with Jesus’ Rejection at Nazareth from Luke 4:16-22 & 28 to the end. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” with Jesus and his brothers in Luke 8:19-21 “Mymother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of God and act on it,” and with Peter’s denial again in John 18:25-27. “You are not one of this man’s disciples. Are you? “Peter said, “Iam not.” Sr. Marla focused on the words from the prophet Isaiah that Jesus read in the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

Sr. Anita presented the afternoon program with scripture readings and discussion centering on ‘Mary in Grief’ with readings from Luke 23:48 & 49: “All his acquaintances stood at a distance,including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.”,John 19:26 &27: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother: “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple: “Behold your mother.” And John 19: 30, 33 &34: “One soldier thrust his lance into his side and immediately blood and water flowed out.”. Attendees were to reflect on times when they experienced grief in their lives keeping in mind, death is not the final end, but reflecting on the realization death has the potential for new life.

The day culminated with discussion of Mary, how she continues to be a witness to every woman today. Mary a model of compassion and a woman of the Gospel, as she helps us become true disciples of Christ. Participants were then invited to pray together the Litany ofMary of Nazareth and if possible, take part in reconciliation and attend Mass celebrated by Fr. Aaron Devett.